Push-button unit



y 22, 1952 E. L. ALLEN 2,604,346

PUSH-BUTTON UNIT Filed April 5, 1949 24 9 llllllllll 13 ,0

7 nun Z I l6 1/ l4 INVENTOR. WI {@1- 0W/A/ .4. 4445 EW if 147 TUENE Y5.

Patented July 22, 1952 PUSH-BUTTON UNIT Edwin L. Allen, ClevelandHeights, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rudolph I. Schonitzer,

Cleveland, Ohio Application April 5, 1949, Serial No. 85,665

' 8 Claims.

This invention relates to door control mechanisms and more particularlyto automobile door latch operating devices of the push-button type.

My invention is adapted for use with door control mechanisms in which alatch member is released by manual operation of a push-button to permitopening of the door. Such latch mechanisms and associated push-buttonoperating devices are most commonly used in automobiles, refrigeratorsand the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a push-button unitwhich is compact and rugged in construction, which may be easily assembled and economically manufactured, which is convenient to use, andwhich is attractive in appearance. Another object is to provide apushbutton latch operating device which can be easily and convenientlyinstalled in and secured to an automobile door and which can be adjustedproperly to engage with an associated latch mechanism.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description of my improved push buttonassembly, reference being had to the accompanyable form and a supportingstructure S, including a bezel 2, which supports and houses a pushbuttonassembly generally indicated at 3. The handle I and push-buttonsupporting structure S are preferably integral in construction toprovide a rigid and strong unit and the parts are arranged in a mannerto provide an attractive and pleasing appearance.

The door handle I, as shown, is designed particularly for use on theright front door, indicated at D in Figure 3, of an automobile. It is soproportioned that the push-button assembly 3 mounted within the bezel 2can be naturally and easily actuated by the thumb when the handle isgrasped. The inner surfaces of the handle are curved to fit snuglyagainst the outer panel of the automobile door D (see Figure 3) and aresecured thereto by means of a pair of lugs 4 having threaded holes 5into which screws (not shown) are adapted to extend to draw the handleagainst the door structure. When so secured the push-button assemblyextends. within the door to engage the operatin member of a latchmechanism, shown fragmentarily in Figure 3 and indicated at L. The latchmechanism per se may be any one of several well known types, and sinceit forms no part of my invention will not be further described herein.It is pointed out, however, that a suitable latch mechanism is describedand claimed in the Rudolph I. Schonitzer Patent No. 2,094,413. 1

The push-button assembly includes a plunger having a tubular body I, apush-button member 8 capping its outer end, and adjustable means at itsinner end to engage the latch operating mechanism L. The push-button orcover member 8 comprises a shallow cupped disc whose outer edge iscrimped over, or otherwise suitably attached to, a radially outwardlyextending flange 9 provided at the outer end of the plunger body I. Thelatch engaging means consists of a rod l0 having threaded engagementwith a fixed nut [2 which is securely mounted, as by crimping, on aninwardly extending flange 13 at the inner end of the plunger 1. Theeffective length of the rod [0 can be regulated by turning the rodoutwardly or inwardly of the nut l2 so that a greater or lesser lengthof rod extends beyond the inner end of the plunger. The rod can thus beeasily adjusted to assume the position shown in Figure 3 Where itsenlarged contactor head I I has the proper position in relation to thelatch operating member L. When the push-button 8 is pushed inwardly fromthe position shown in Figure 3 the plunger 1 and rod l0 Will move totrip the latch mechanism and release the door.

The rod [0 is securely but releasably locked in adjusted position bymeans of a lock nut l5 which is carried 011 the rod Ill and can betightened to lock rod l0 relative to fixed nut l2. A washer l4, having afunction which will be explained later, is interposed between the locknut l5 and the end of the fixed nut l2 and a lock washer 16 ofconventional type is preferably interposed between the lock nut I5 andthe washer M to prevent loosening of the lock nut.

The outer edge of flange 9 of plunger 1 (covered by the crimped overouter edge of push button member 8 as seen in Figure 3) has slidingmovement within, and is guided by, spaced segmental arcuate guides l8projecting inwardly from the bezel 2 and the body of plunger 1 issupported for sliding in and out movement by a retaining ring member [9,which is removably secured at the inner ends of guides l8 by screws 20extending through holes in a pair of lugs 2|, which project from theretaining ring, and engaging tapped holes 22 at the ends of the guides18 (see Figures 2 and 3). Disposed around the body of the plunger body 1is a coil spring 23 which is compressed between the retaining ring [9and flange 9 of the plunger and urges the plunger outwardly to theposition shown in Figure 3, with the flange 9 abutting the shoulder atthe'inner edge of the opening in bezel! and the button 8 lying withinand projecting slightly beyond the bezel. In this position the inner endof theplunger I extends at least partially within the plunger guideopening 24 of retaining ring [9.

When the push-button is pushed inwardly the plunger body I rides throughand is guided by the opening 24 of the retaining ring. In order tominimize friction, the guides iii are provided with spaced longitudinalribs 25 extending along the inner faces of the guides l8 and projectingradially inwardly therefrom, as shown in end view in Figure 2, to act asways and keep the flange 9 from contact with the rest of the guidesurfaces. It will be noted that, to avoid confusion, the flange 9 isnot'shown in Figure 2 but is clearly seen in Figured .The opening 24 ofthe retaining ring I9 is only slightly larger in diameter than theplunger 1 *so' as to provide proper guiding without excessive play andwithout binding.

In the installation of the door control mechanism in a door it isdesirable to be able to handle the push-button plunger mechanism as asubassembly apart from the handle and supportingstructure S. Phis isaccomplished by making the washer l4 larger than the plunger guideopening 24. in the retaining ring i9 whereby washer M will hold theretaining ring '19 and plunger 1 in assembled relation against the forceof the coil spring '23. The push-button plunger subassembly is puttogether by placing the coil spring 23 and retaining ring l9 over theplunger body '1' andthen screwing the actuating rod in, on which ismounted the washer M, lock washer i6 and lock nut I5, into thenut l2.With this arrangement washer l4 prevents the coil spring from pushingthe plunger and retaining ring apart and enables the push-button plungersub-assembly to :be shipped and handled as a unit independently'of thehandle I.

When the parts .are completely installed, as

shown, in Figure 3 with the rod H) locked in adjusted position by meansof the lock nut l5,

the washer I4 abuts the nut l2 and is spaced an appreciable distancefrom the retaining'ring [9.

This spacing permits the edge of push-button 8 andfiange 9 to be springheld in contact with the bezel 2 except when the push-button isactuated. Maintaining this contact is desirable so that the bezelopening will normally be fully I closed and sealed by the push-buttonand so that anattractive appearance will be provided. It is insured bymaking the distance between the -washer'or: stop member I4 and the outeredge of flange '9 greater than the distance between the inner edge ofthe opening in the bezel 2 and the inner face IQ of retaining member l9.

It will also be noted that the length of the plunger body I exceeds thelength of the guides l8 so that when the parts are assembled the innerend of the plunger will at all times ride within the'plunger guideopening 24 of the retaining ring l9, thus preventing the plunger frombecoming mis-aligned and jamming against the retaining ring to blockactuation of the push-button.

While Ihave described a preferred form of my invention in considerabledetail it will be understood that changes and modifications may bemade-without departing from the spirit of my invention or the teachingsherein, and I do not,

therefore, wish to be limited in any manner other than bythe followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a doorand' to coact withthe latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure includinga bezel having an opening therein and circumferentially spaced guidesextending inwardly therefrom, a plunger. adapted to have slidingmovement within said guides, a retaining member removably secured tosaid supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said spacedguides, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adaptedclosely to receive and guide the plunger throughout its entire range ofsliding movement, a push-button member at the outer end of said plunger,a spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member tourge said plunger toward the edge of said opening in said bezel, saidbezel having a shoulder portion adapted to be engaged byand to limitmovement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, and anactuatingrod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threadedengagement with the end thereof whereby the effective length of theactuating rod may be adjusted.

2. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact withthe latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure includinga bezel having an opening therein and circumferentially spaced guidesextending inwardly therefrom, a tubular plunger adapted to have slidingmovement within said guides, a retaining ring member removably securedto said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said spacedguides, said retaining ring member having a plunger guide openingadapted closely to receive and guide the plunger throughout its entirerange of sliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardlyextending fiange at its outer end, a push-button cover member closingthe outer end of the plunger, a coil spring fitting around said plungerand compressed between said flange and said retaining ring member tourge said flange against the inner edge of said opening in said bezel,said bezel having a shoulder portion adapted to be engaged by and tolimit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, andan actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threadedengagement with the end thereof whereby the effective length of theactuating rod may be adjusted.

3. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact withthe latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure includinga bezel having an opening therein and guides extending inwardlytherefrom, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement withinsaid guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to saidsupporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said guides, saidretaining ring member having a guide opening adapted closely to receiveand guide said lunger in its sliding movement, said plunger having aradially outwardly extending flange at its outer end, a push-buttoncover member having its outer edge crimped over said flange to securethe cover to the plunger and to close the outer end thereof. a coilspring fitting around said plunger and compressedbetween said flange andsaid retaining ring member to urge said flange against the inner edge ofsaid opening in said bezel with the push-button cover member lyingsubstantially within the opening of said bezel, said inner edge of saidopening being adapted to limit movement of said plunger under theinfluence of said spring, a threaded nut secured to the inner end of theplunger, and an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger andhaving threaded engagement with said nut whereby the effective length ofthe actuating rod may be adjusted.

A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact with thelatch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure in cluding abezel having an opening therein and a pair of guide members havingcylindrically curved surfaces extending inwardly from the opposite sidesof the bezel, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement withinsaid guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to saidsupporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said guides, saidretaining ring member having a plunger guide opening adapted closely toreceive and guide said plunger in its sliding movement, said plungerhaving a radially outwardly extending flange at its outer end, apush-button cover member having its outer edge crimped over said flangeto secure the cover to the plunger and to close the outer end thereof, acoil spring fitting around said plunger and compressed between saidflange and said retaining ring member to urge said flange against theinner edge of said opening in said bezel with the push-button covermember lying substantially within the opening of said bezel, said inneredge of said opening being adapted to limit movement of said plungerunder the influence of said spring, a threaded nut secured to the innerend of the plunger, an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plungerand having threaded engagement therewith whereby the effective length ofthe actuating rod may be adjusted, and means for locking said actuatingrod in adjusted position.

5. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure including a bezelhaving an opening therein and guides extending inwardly therefrom, aplunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retainingmember adapted to be secured to said supporting structure and to spanthe inner ends of said guides, said retaining member having a plungerguide opening adapted to receive and guide the plunger in its slidingmovement, a push-button member at the outer end of said plunger, aspring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member to urgesaid plunger away from said retaining member, an actuating rod extendinginwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with the endthereof whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may beadjusted, and a stop member on said rod of greater outer dimension thansaid guide opening in said retaining member.

6. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact withthe latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure includinga bezel having an opening therein and a pair of cylindrically curvedguide members extending inwardly therefrom, a tubular plunger adapted tohave sliding movement within said guides, a retaining ring memberremovably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the innerends of said guide members, said retaining ring member having a plungerguide opening adapted closely to receive and guide said plunger in itssliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardly extendingflange at its outer end, a push-button cover member having its outeredge crimped over said flange to secure said cover to said plunger andclose the outer end thereof, a coil spring fitting around said plungerand compressed between said flange and said retaining ring member tourge said ill flange against the edge of said opening in said. bezelwith the push-button cover member lying substantially within saidopening, said edge of said opening being adapted to limit movement ofsaid plunger under the influence of said spring, a threaded nut securedto the inner end of the plunger, an actuating rod extending inwardlyfrom the plunger and having threaded engagement with said nut wherebythe efiective length of said actuating rod may be adjusted, and a washermember on said rod of greater outer dimension than said guide opening insaid retaining ring and disposed inwardly of said retaining ring member.

7. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure including a bezelhaving an opening therein and guide members extending inwardlytherefrom, a plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guidemembers, a retaining member adapted to be secured to said supportingstructure and to span said guide members, said retaining member having aplunger guide opening adapted to receive and guide said plunger in itssliding movement, a push button member at the outer end of said plunger,a coil spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining memberto urge said plunger away from .said retaining member, an actu ating rodextending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement withthe inner end of said plunger whereby the effective length of saidactuating rod may be adjusted, a stop member on said rod of greaterouter dimension than said guide opening in said retaining member anddisposed inwardly of said retaining member whereby engagement of saidbezel by said push-button is permitted when said retaining member issecured in position on said supporting structure but whereby removal ofsaid plunger from said retaining member is prevented when said retainingmember and plunger are detached from said supporting structure, and locknut means on said rod for securing said stop member in position on saidrod and locking said rod in adjusted position.

8. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure, a plunger, aretaining member adapted to be removably secured to said supportingstructure, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adaptedto receive and guide said plunger, a spring compressed between saidplunger and said retaining member to urge said plunger away from saidretaining member, an actuating rod extending from said plunger andhaving threaded engagement therewith whereby the effective length ofsaid actuating rod may be adjusted, and a stop member on said rod ofgreater outside dimension than said guide opening in said retainingmember, said stop member being held in engagement with said retainingmember by the action of said spring when said retaining member isdetached from said supporting structure.

EDWIN L. ALLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,664,576 Stuart et a1. Apr. 3,1928 1,932,056 Weatherhead Oct. 24, 1933 2,094,413 Schonitzer Sept. 28,1937 2,231,075 Lakin Feb. 11, 1941 2,234,810 Simpson Mar. 11, 1941

